Disc projection apparatus

ABSTRACT

Play apparatus for two players to play a competitive game. The apparatus comprises a closed housing having a transparent window and containing therein a pair of toy figures spaced from one another and each having at least one movable limb. A barrier are provided within the housing partially separating one figure from the other, and a play object such as a disc or ball is disposed within the compartment for being propelled back and forth over the barrier by said flexible limbs of the figures. A manually operable control may be provided for changing the positions of the figures and for manipulating the movable limbs of the figures, whereby each figure may be moved to receive the ball and its limb operated to return the ball over the barrier.

United States Patent [191 Goldfarb et a1.

111 3,8 6 45] Dec. 31, 1974 1 msc PROJECTION APPARATUS [76] Inventors: Adolph E. Goldfarb, 4614 Monarea Dr., Tarzana, Calif. 91356; Erwin Benkoe, 17965 Medley Dr., Encino, Calif. 91316 i 22 Filed: Feb. 21, 1973 211 App]. No.: 334,382

[52] US. Cl. 273/85 F, 273/126 R i [-51] Int. Cl A63b 71/02 [58] Field of Search 273/85 R, 85 D, 85 F, l R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Eisele 273/85 F 2,783,754 3/1957 Heiss.. 273/85 F 3,416,799 12/1968 Lopez 273/85 D Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant ExaminerMarvin Siskind Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert M. Ashen [57] ABSTRACT Play apparatus for two players to play a competitive game. The apparatus-comprises a. closed housing having a transparent window and containing therein a pair of toy figures spaced from one-another and each having at least one movable limbj A barrier are provided within the housing partially separating one figure from the other, and a play object such as a disc'or ball is disposed within the compartment. for being propelled back and forth over the barrier by said flexible limbsof the figures. A manually operable control may be provided for changing the positions of the figures and for manipulating the movable limbs of the figures,

whereby each figure may be moved to receive the ball and its limb operated to return the ball over the barrier.

15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATEHTED UEB3 1 I974 SHEET 10F 2 1 DISC PROJECTION APPARATUS There have been play devices in the prior art wherein flexible figures were manipulated. For an example of such a toy, see US. Pat. No. 3,070,920. Such prior art devices did not, however, involve a competitive game where more than one such figures are movable about and manipulatable to permit the players to compete in an excitingaction game. In one aspect, the apparatus of the invention provides movement of the entire figures and coordinated movement of at least one limb of each of the figures to competitively propel a ball or other play piece back and forth over a center barrier.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of play apparatus comprising a-preferred embodiment of the present invention, with parts broken away and in section to reveal the details of construction;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 isa front elevational view of portions of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and .2, showing one figure moved i 44 of FIG. 2.

. FIGS. 5 and '6 are sectional views along 55 and 6-6. 1

In general, the illustrated play apparatus 10, which is a presently preferred embodiment of the present inven tion, comprises a housing 12 having a transparent window 14, and defining therein a-compartment 16. A pair of flexible figures. 18, each having at least one flexible limb 20, are disposed within the compartment, and are each supported on a movable carrier member 22. A pair of control means 24separately and manually operable from outside the compartment are each connected to one of the figures. Each control means 24 can be operated to move a carrier member 22 and thereby change the position of the associated figure. Each control means may also be operated to manipulate the movement of the flexible limb 20 of the associated figure. A barrier 26 is provided within the compartment 16between the two figuresrThe barrier member 26 extends only part of the height of the compartment to leave a spacefor the passage of an object, such as a disc or a ball 28, over the top of the barrier, back-and-forth between the figures. In this way, the players may cause the figures 18 to play a game such as volleyball or tennis, or ping-pong within the confines of the compartment. In the play of the game the figures and their flexible limbs are manipulated to toss or propel the ball back-and-forth over the barrier 26, with the first one missing being the loser of the point.

Now considering the illustrated play apparatus 10 in 26 is fixedly mounted within the compartment 16 at approximately the midpoint from end to end. The illustrated barrier member 26 is generally triangular shaped and has a height of-approximately half the height of the compartment.

Mounted for movement within the compartment 16 are the two slide or carrier members or means 22. The carrier members 22 are mounted at either side of the barrier member 26 and each carrier member 22 has mounted upon it for common movement a figure 18. Each of the illustrated carrier members 22 is .a generally rectangular plate shown best in FIG. 4. Each carrier member 22 has a rearwardly directed top flange 42 that extends along its upper edge and a rearwardly directed bottom flange 41 that extends along its lower edge. Extending upwardly from the rear edge of the top flange 42 are a pair of guide tabs 44, spaced apart along said top flange. Each lower flange 41 has a downwardly depending arm 46 secured at its upper end to the rearward edge of the flange 41 at about its center. The rear wall 34 of the recessed area or compartment has a pair of generally rectangular depressions 45, each being on one side of the barrier 26 and being proportioned to receive therein the top and bottom flanges 42 and 41 of one of the carrier members 22. Each depression 45 has a generally rectangular rear wall 35 and a side or pe ripheral wall 37. A horizontally extending slot 48 is provided along the upper edge of each depression 45 for receipt therein of the guide tabs 44 of the associated carrier member 22. Similarly, a horizontally extending slot 49 is formed at the lower edge of each depression 45 for receipt therein of the depending arm 46 of the associated carrier-member 22. Each carrier member 22 is in effect supported within one of the depressions 45 for side-to-side sliding movement by virtue of bottom flange 41 riding upon the lower portion of peripheral wall 37 and the tabs 44 extending through slot 48 and up behind the upper portion of peripheralwall 37. As

shown in FIG. I, the carrier member 22 may be shifted so that its outerend 23 extends outwardly beyond the outer edge 25 of its depression 45 The inner end 21 of 50 extends forwardly therefrom through a slot 52 in the more detail, the housing 12 is in a form of a generally flat rectangular box supported generally upright by a pair of detachable triangular brace or support plate members 32, as shown in FIG. 2, connected to either end of the housing. The housing includes a bottom wall 30, a top wall 36, and a pair of end walls 38. The housing also includes a front wall 40 which has a large rectportion of the front wall 40 of the housing below the compartment 16. A control knob 56 is fixedly mounted on the forward end of each of the shafts 50 for common rotation. Each slot 52 extends horizontally from sideto-side of the housing and may define-the limits for 'side-to-side movement of each carrier member 22.

Each control knob 56 and shaft 50 is connected to a control linkage means 54 which in turn is connected to one of the flexible figures 18. Each entire assembly of figure, control linkage means, control shaft and knob are all mounted upon and carried by the associated carrier member 22 for side-to-side movement therewith.

Each of the flexible figures 18 is desirably formed of a flexible resilient material such as rubber or plastic foam, such as polyurethane. Each figure comprises a body 60, a pair of legs 62, a pair of arms 20 and a head 64. The illustrated arms 20 extend outwardly to either side of the body 60 for manipulation as will hereinafter be described. Each figure is mounted on its carrier member at points 66 and 68. Each. of the arms 20 of the figure is connected adjacent its outer end at 70, 72 with a section of its control linkage means 54 whereby the arms may be caused to raise or lower in response to operation of its control knob 56.

In the illustrated apparatus the control linkage means 54 comprises an integral part made up of a plurality of interconnected portions or sections, with pivot or hinge means being provided at the intersections between the portions or sections by virtue of narrowed hinged portions of the part itself. Such a part may be constructed of a flexible resilient and tough plastic material, such as polyproplene. While a plurality of separate sections or pieces may be utilized, the illustrated linkage part provides an economical and simple arrangement which minimizes the time and cost of assembly of the apparatus. It also minimizes malfunction by reason of a disconnection occuring at a pivoted joint between two separate linkage pieces.

' Each illustrated control linkage part 54 is comprised of a first arm section 74 fixed at its inner end to the associated shaft 50 for common rotation. The first arm section 74 is hinged at its outer end to one end of a connector section 76 that is hinged at its other end to an intermediate point on an arm section 78. The arm section78 is pivotally mounted at one end at point 66 to its carrier member 22. The other or outer end of arm section 78 is pivotally connected at point 70 to the outward one of the flexible arms of the associated figure 18. At point 70, a pin mounted on the arm section 78 extends forwardly through an arcuate slot 80 in the carrier member 22 and connects to the arm 20 adjacent its outer end. It can be seen that rotation of knob 56 rotates shaft 50 to rotate first arm section 74. This movement is transmitted through connecting section 76 to arm section 78, to rotate arm section 78 about axis 66 and thereby move the figures outward arm 20 generally up or down as the pin at 70 follows the arcuate slot A short arm section 82 is formed at the inner end of arm section -78, extending outwardly therefrom and being also pivoted at 66. The short arm section 82 is hinged at its outer end to one end of another connector section 84. The other end of connector section 84 is hinged to an intermediate point of curved arm section 86. One end of thecurved arm section 86 is pivotally mounted toits carrier member 22 at 68 and the other end of section 86 is connected at 72 to the inward arm 20 of. the associated figure. The connection at 72 is like that at 70 in that a pin extends forwardly from the arm section 86 and through an arcuate slot 88 in the carrier member 22. The forward end of the pin at 72 then is connected to the figures inward arm 20 adjacent its outer end. Thus, the same rotation of knob 56 is transmitted as rotation of short arm section 82. This is trans-' mitted by connector section 84 to effect rotation of curved arm section 86 about pivot point 68. The inward arm 20 of the figure is thus moved up or down, following the path of the curved vertical slot 88. It will be noted that as one arm 20 of the figure goes up, the other goes down, and visa versa.

The illustrated play apparatus 10 includes means to implement playing a game of volley ball. Such means include a serving slot 90 for each figure, as well as return or exit slots 92 and 94. Each serving slot 90, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, is formed in an end wall 38 of the housing at about the height of the head of the adjacent figure 18. The serving slots 90 lead into the compartment l6 and are proportioned to receive the disc 28 therethrough. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the center or common return slot 92 is formedby a recessed portion of the front wall 40 of the housing, centrally of the housing and just below the barrier 26. The center return slot 92 is so proportioned and is wide enough to receive therethrough the disc 28 from either side of the barrier 26. Additionally, there is a side return slot 94 (constructed essentially like center slot 92) adjacent each lower corner of the compartment.

The apparatus 10 may be played by two competing players as follows:

1. The players each choose which of the figures I8 they will control, and sit facing the appropriate side of the Court.

2. It is decided which player will serve first.

3. The first player inserts the disc 28 into Court com prised by the compartment 16 through serving slot on his side of Court. He operates the control knob 56 beneath his player-figure 18 so as to catch the disc on the figures outstretched arm 20, and flip or serve disc 28 to other side of Court.

4. The opponent likewise operates his control knob 56 to move his figure back and forth and operate its arms as needed, trying to catch the disc 28 and flip it back to theserver. The players continue to volley the disc 28 back and forth as'long as possible.

5. If the opponent fails to return the disc to the server (that is, if it leaves the Court through opponents half of the center slot 92, through his side slot 94, or through his serving slot 90), the server scores 1 point and then serves again.

6. If the server fails to serve the disc 28 to the oppo-,

nents side or to return it on a later volley (so that it leaves the Court through his half of center slot, his side slot, or his serving slot), it becomes his opponents turn to serve.

7. The first player to score a determined number of points is the winner.

Modification may be made in the illustrated structure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the figure may have only one movable arm, or the arms (or legs) may be pivotally connected instead of being resilient. The positioning of the figure may also include an up and down component if desired. Further, a single-figure may be provided within a compartment for juggling or otherwise manipulating a play piece such as a ball or disc. Players may compete by taking turns at manipulating the figure to propel one or more play pieces into receptacles or against targets within the'compartment .to achieve a score.

We claim:

1. Play apparatus for competitive play between two or more players, comprising:

a housing having a transparent window and defining a compartment therein, said compartment having a generally flat configuration defining a generally upright plane of reference, said compartment having a width generally transverse to said generally upright plane of reference,

a pair of figures disposed within said compartment,

' each of said figures having at least one movable limb, said figures being disposedparallel to said plane for translational movement parallel to said plane,

a barrier region disposed in a lower portion of the compartment between the figures and extending substantially the full width of the compartment, said barrier region comprising a solid barrier member disposed in said lower portion of the compartment and extending sufficiently far along said width of the compartment to block passage of said playpiece through said barrier region,

a playpiece within said compartment for being propelled by said figures back and forth between them and over the barrier region, and

remote control means in said housing operatively associated with said figures so that each figure can be separately and individually controlled in its movement from outside of said housing.

2. The play apparatus of claim 1 wherein each con trol means is operable to change the position of its figure and to effect movement of its movable limb.

3. The play apparatus of claim 2 wherein each figure has at least one movable arm and each of said control means includes transmission means connected to said arm for effecting movement thereof.

4. The play apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of said transmission means comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected sections which transmitmotion from an input section movable from outside said housing to an output section connected to said arm.

5. The play apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pair of carrier plate members disposed within said compartment, each of said carrier plate members having one of said figures mounted thereon and being individually movable within the compartment for selected positioning of the figure within the compartment, said carrier plate members being disposed generally parallel to and movable parallel to said reference plane.

6. The play apparatus of claim 5 wherein said carrier plate members are mounted in said housing for side-toside sliding movement relative to said compartment.

7. The play apparatus ofclaim 5 wherein each of said carrier plate members is connected to a handle element that extends generally perpendicular to said plate members, said housing having a front wall with a pair of slots therein, each of said handle elements extending through one of said slots to externally of said housing.

8. The play apparatus of claim 7 further including a linkage means within said housing and on each of said carrierplate members, each of said linkage means operatively connecting the external handle element of that plate member to the movable limb of the associated figure, whereby manipulation of said handle element effects movement of the movable limb of the associated figure. 9. The play apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said housing includes means defining at least one entrance into said compartment and at least one exit from said compartment.

10. The play apparatus of claim 9 wherein there is one of said entrances at each end of said compartment, each entrance being positioned for introducing the playing piece to the limb of a figure for serving it across said barrier.

11. The play apparatus of claim 10 wherein there are a plurality of said exits spaced along the bottom of said compartment and at both sides of said barrier.

12. The play apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of each of said figures having at least one movable arm, and

remote control means in said housing operatively associated with said figures so that each figure can be separately and individually controlled in its movement from outside of said housing, each of said control means being operable be change the position of its figure and to effect movement of its movable arm, each of said control means including transmission means connected to said arm for effecting movement thereof, each of said transmission means comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected sections which-transmit motion from an input section movable from outside said housing to an output section connected to said arm, said sections of each transmission means being integrally formed with one another.

15. A game apparatus for play of a competitive game I between two players comprising:

generally flat housing having opposed front and rear walls, said front wall including a viewing window, said front and rear walls being generally parallel to one another and to a reference plane, said housing defining an enclosed compartment therein,

a pair of carrier plates supported within said compartment at opposite ends'thereof and parallel to said reference plane, said carrier plates being movable within said compartment parallel to said reference plane and independently of one another,

a pair of flexible figures that are generally planar in configuration, each-of said figures being mounted on one of said carrier plates to be carried thereby, each of said figures having at least one flexible movable limb integrally formed with rest of the figure and extending outwardly therefrom,

a pair of separate control means each connected to one of said carrier plates and the flexible figure mounted on that plate, each control means including a movable control handle member disposed externally of said housing, each of said control means also including connecting means between said'control handle member and said associated carrier plate and between said control handle member and said flexible limb of said figure on said associated carrier plate, so that by movement of said control handle member, the position of said figure within the compartment may be changed and the position of said flexible limb of the figure may also be changed,

and a play piece contained within said compartment for being engaged and propelled by the flexible limbs of said figures.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N 3 Dated December 31,

Inventor(s) Adolph E, Goldfarb and Erwin Benkoe It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In Claim 14 (Column 6, line 20) change the word "be" to the word --to--.

Signed and Scaled this twenty-second Day Of July 1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner of Palenls and Trademarks 

1. Play apparatus for competitive play between two or more players, comprising: a housing having a transparent window and defining a compartment therein, said compartment having a generally flat configuration defining a generally upright plane of reference, said compartment having a width generally transverse to said generally upright plane of reference, a pair of figures disposed within said compartment, each of said figures having at least one movable limb, said figures being disposed parallel to said plane for translational movement parallel to said plane, a barrier region disposed in a lower portion of the compartment between the figures and extending substantially the full width of the compartment, said barrier region comprising a solid barrier member disposed in said lower portion of the compartment and extending sufficiently far along said width of the compartment to block passage of said playpiece through said barrier region, a playpiece within said compartment for being propelled by said figures back and forth between them and over the barrier region, and remote control means in said housing operatively associated with said figures so that each figure can be separately and individually controlled in its movement from outside of said housing.
 2. The play apparatus of claim 1 wherein each control means is operable to change the position of its figure and to effect movement of its movable limb.
 3. The play apparatus of claim 2 wherein each figure has at least one movable arm and each of said control means includes transmission means connected to said arm for effecting movement thereof.
 4. The play apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of Said transmission means comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected sections which transmit motion from an input section movable from outside said housing to an output section connected to said arm.
 5. The play apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pair of carrier plate members disposed within said compartment, each of said carrier plate members having one of said figures mounted thereon and being individually movable within the compartment for selected positioning of the figure within the compartment, said carrier plate members being disposed generally parallel to and movable parallel to said reference plane.
 6. The play apparatus of claim 5 wherein said carrier plate members are mounted in said housing for side-to-side sliding movement relative to said compartment.
 7. The play apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of said carrier plate members is connected to a handle element that extends generally perpendicular to said plate members, said housing having a front wall with a pair of slots therein, each of said handle elements extending through one of said slots to externally of said housing.
 8. The play apparatus of claim 7 further including a linkage means within said housing and on each of said carrier plate members, each of said linkage means operatively connecting the external handle element of that plate member to the movable limb of the associated figure, whereby manipulation of said handle element effects movement of the movable limb of the associated figure.
 9. The play apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing includes means defining at least one entrance into said compartment and at least one exit from said compartment.
 10. The play apparatus of claim 9 wherein there is one of said entrances at each end of said compartment, each entrance being positioned for introducing the playing piece to the limb of a figure for serving it across said barrier.
 11. The play apparatus of claim 10 wherein there are a plurality of said exits spaced along the bottom of said compartment and at both sides of said barrier.
 12. The play apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said movable limb members is a flexible and resilient member integrally formed to the remainder of its said figure.
 13. The play apparatus of claim 1 wherein said compartment has a pair of generally flat side walls spaced apart a certain width and said play piece is a generally flat disc having a thickness somewhat smaller than said compartment width.
 14. Play apparatus for competitive play between two or more players, comprising: a housing having a transparent window and defining a compartment therein, a pair of figures disposed within said compartment, each of said figures having at least one movable arm, and remote control means in said housing operatively associated with said figures so that each figure can be separately and individually controlled in its movement from outside of said housing, each of said control means being operable be change the position of its figure and to effect movement of its movable arm, each of said control means including transmission means connected to said arm for effecting movement thereof, each of said transmission means comprising a plurality of pivotally inter-connected sections which transmit motion from an input section movable from outside said housing to an output section connected to said arm, said sections of each transmission means being integrally formed with one another.
 15. A game apparatus for play of a competitive game between two players comprising: generally flat housing having opposed front and rear walls, said front wall including a viewing window, said front and rear walls being generally parallel to one another and to a reference plane, said housing defining an enclosed compartment therein, a pair of carrier plates supported within said compartment at opposite ends thereof and parallel to said reference plane, said carrier plates being movable within said compartment parallel to said reference plane And independently of one another, a pair of flexible figures that are generally planar in configuration, each of said figures being mounted on one of said carrier plates to be carried thereby, each of said figures having at least one flexible movable limb integrally formed with rest of the figure and extending outwardly therefrom, a pair of separate control means each connected to one of said carrier plates and the flexible figure mounted on that plate, each control means including a movable control handle member disposed externally of said housing, each of said control means also including connecting means between said control handle member and said associated carrier plate and between said control handle member and said flexible limb of said figure on said associated carrier plate, so that by movement of said control handle member, the position of said figure within the compartment may be changed and the position of said flexible limb of the figure may also be changed, and a play piece contained within said compartment for being engaged and propelled by the flexible limbs of said figures. 